Featuring a hilarious and delightful storyline written with non-stop humor and action, “Ranma 1/2″ is at true anime classic that will forever entertain many generations of anime fans and will forever be remembered for its characters and wild and crazy stories. And it’s a Rumiko Takahashi anime series that I highly recommend! “Ranma 1/2 Blu-ray Set 3” is a classic that every anime fan who collects anime on Blu-ray, should own! Recommended!

Things just can’t stay quiet at the Tendo Dojo. After a morning ruckus, Ranma hits his head, falls into water, and turns completely into a girl. Now, even when Ranma transforms back into a boy, he still thinks he’s a girl! Things become even more complicated when Shampoo, still in love with Ranma, gets a surprise visit from Chinese Amazon twin sisters Ling-Ling and Lung-Lung, two of her proteges who have it in for Ranma.

Then, after Soun and Genma’s master, Happosai, uses moxibustion to weaken Ranma, Ranma must master a new legendary technique and defeat Happosai to become strong again. Everything culminates in a final battle against Happosai as Ranma fights to regain his strength!

This special edition includes a full-color art card and a 32-page booklet with episode summaries, all housed in a premium chipboard artbox!

The hijinks continue in the third set of “Ranma 1/2” (the third and fourth season of episodes in Japan)!

What happens when Akane eats “super Soba noodles” that makes her powerful, what happens when a ghost is causing problems at Furinkan High School and what happens when Happosai’s magic mirror sends him, Ranma, Akane, Soun, Genma, Shampoo and Cologne back in time when Happosai and Cologne were younger in China. And what happens when Happosai takes away Ranma’s martial arts skill?

This latest Blu-ray and DVD volume also introduces Shampoo’s sisters Ling-Ling and Lung-Lung and Principal Kuno.

Mangaka Rumiko Takahashi is no doubt a legendary mangaka who has had amazing success in Japan.

Many know her from her popular series “InuYasha” but decades before, she won over manga and anime fans through her series “Urusei Yatsura”, “Maison Ikkoku”, The Mermaid series and of course, her well-known series, “Ranma 1/2″.

“Ranma 1/2″ was created back in 1987 and lasted through 1996 and serialized in Shogakukan’s “Weekly Shonen Sunday” with a total of 38 tankobon volumes (graphic novels) published.

The series like most of Rumiko’s work received an anime adaptation and in 1989, a total of 18 episodes were created and aired in Fuji TV before being canceled.

But unlike most cancellations, “Ranma 1/2″ would get a second life on television a month later with a new name titled “Ranma 1/2 Nettouhen” which was based on the manga but featured also a lot of filler episodes and characters not featured in the manga series.

The series would become popular overseas as it was one of the first anime series to receive a fan sub and because it would help jumpstart the anime and manga craze during the early 1990′s including “Ranma 1/2″ released in comic book format. Viz Media would then bring an English dub of the anime series to the United States.

And while the anime series was released little by little with two episodes on VHS and then later with season box sets on DVD, in America, “Ranma 1/2″ has always been a fan favorite.

But when it was announced that Rumiko Takahashi’s earlier hit series “Urusei Yatsura”, “Maison Ikkoku” and “Ranma 1/2″ would be remastered and released in Japan on Blu-ray as part of Shogakukan’s 90th anniversary, suffice to say, fans became very excited and wondered if the series in HD would be released in America.

And sure enough, Viz Media surprised fans with the announcement that “Ranma 1/2″ was released on Blu-ray and DVD plus an omnibus release of the manga series in March 2014.

Unlike the original season box sets which features 18 episodes, “Ranma 1/2 Blu-ray Set 2″ will feature 22 episodes. And instead of going by Japanese seasons, the release will be available as collections, so you get episodes from season 2 and 3 included in “Ranma 1/2 Blu-ray Set 2”.

“Ranma 1/2″ is a story about a teenage boy named Ranma Saotome. His father Genma Saotome and his good friend Soun Tendo have made a deal that Ranma can marry one of Soun’s daughters and so both are headed to Japan after training in China.

But because both Ranma and Genma have fallen into cursed lakes, whenever they come into contact with cold water, Ranma turns into a girl, while Genma turns into a panda.

And because Akane hates boys and Ranma is half boy/half girl, her older sisters Kusumi and Nabiki volunteer Akane to be Ranma’s betrothed.

But both Ranma and Akane are like oil and water and don’t get along. Both often tease each other and Akane tends to beat Ranma up. And as the two are to try and be a happy couple, also in school, both must put up with a cast of fascinating characters including Tatewaki Kuno and his sister Kodachi, Ranma’s eternal rival Ryouga Hibiki, the Chinese fighter named Shampoo and others who are happy to destroy their relationship.

In season two, we are introduced to more characters from China. With Ranma defeating Shampoo in a battle, the customs of her homeland is that if a man wins, she will marry that man. And to welcome Ranma to the family is Shampoo’s grandmother, Cologne.

But with Ranma refusing to marry Shampoo, Cologne is not going to let Ranma marry any other girl. But also not wanting to support their marriage is hidden weapons master Mousse, who has always been in love with Shampoo.

Meanwhile, a panty thief is on the loose but for Genma and Soun, they worry that they may know who is responsible, their martial arts master, the lecherous Happosai.

And could it be that Genma made a promise to an Okonomiyaki owner long ago, that his daughter Ukyo would marry Ranma?

All this and more in a wild and crazy 23-episodes of the popular “Ranma 1/2”.

The main characters of “Ranma 1/2″ are:

Ranma Saotome – The series protagonist and martial artist who is often training with his father. He and Akane tend to not get along and he often says things bad to her, which leads her to beat him up or get him into trouble. Because he fell into a cursed lake where a teenage girl had died, he transforms into a teenage girl when he comes into contact with cold water and reverts back to a male when he comes into contact with hot water. Due to his father’s arrangement with Soun Tendo, he is the fiance of Akane Tendo.

Genma Saotome – The father of Ranma Saotome and is often training with his son. He is the childhood best friend of Soun Tendo and together, they made a promise that their children will marry. Because he fell into a cursed lake where a panda had died, he transforms into a panda when he comes into contact with cold water and reverts back to a male when he comes into contact with hot water. He and Genma were trained by their master, Happosai.

Akane Tendo – The female protagonist who is a tomboy that loves martial arts. She is popular at school and many guys want her to be their girlfriend. Due to her father’s arrangement with Genma Saotome, she is engaged to Ranma Saotome. She also has a hot temper and is often arguing and beating up on Ranma.

Soun Tendo – The owner of the Tendo Dojo, he is the father of Kusumi, Nabiki and Akane. He and his childhood friend Genma had an arrangement that their children will marry. He and Genma were trained by their master, Happosai.

Kusumi Tendo – She is the most ladylike of the Tendo family, the eldest sister who is always kind, she is often seen taking care of her sisters and cooking for the entire family and also cleaning the house.

Nabiki Tendo – The middle child, Nabiki likes to make money and spend it! Often trying to find ways to make money.

Tatewaki Kuno – From a wealthy family and has a cocky attitude and because of his inflated ego, calls himself “Blue Thunder”. He is in love with Akane and female Ranma. He is an expert with a wooden sword.

Ryoga Hibiki – Ranma’s rival . Ryoga is terrible with directions and whenever he is planning to fight with Ranma, it would take him days or weeks, because he walked hundreds of miles in another direction. One day he followed Ranma and Genma all the way to China and was kicked by a girl and landed in a cursed lake where a small black pig had died. Whenever he comes in contact with cold water, he will turn into a black pig and whenever he comes in contact with hot water, he reverts back to his normal self. As a pig, named P-chan, he is taken in as a pet by Akane Tendo.

Kodachi Kuno – The captain of the St. Hebereke School for Girls Gymnastic team and while a great gymnast, she also uses poison and other methods in combat which has earned her the nickname “The Black Rose”.

Dr. Tofu Ono – A very good doctor, it’s that people worry when Kasumi is around because Tofu is in love with Kasumi and he begins behaving unusually towards everyone.

Shampoo – The hero of her village in China. She despises female Ranma and loves male Ranma. She also fell in a cursed lake in Jusenkyou and turns into a pink cat. Whenever she comes into contact with cold water, she turns into a cat. When in contact with hot water, she reverts back to normal. She runs the Neko Hanten Chinese restaurant.

Cologne – The leader of the Chinese Amazons and grandmother of Shampoo. Around 300-years-old, she has a history with Happosai.

Mousse – A male Chinese Amazon and master of hidden weapons. He also happens to have terrible eye sight and is deeply in love with Shampoo. He also fell into the cursed Jusenkyo and turns into a duck.

Happosai – The founder and grandmaster of “Anything Goes Martial Arts” (Musabetsu Kakuto Ryu) and the master of Genma Saotome and Soun Tendo.

Ukyo Kuonji – An Okonomiyaki chef. Ukyo’s father and Ranma’s father made a deal that their children would marry.

Tsubasa Kurenai – A male who is in love with Ukyo and happens to be a cross-dresser.

Principal Kuno – Tatewaki and Kodachi’s father who is the principal at Furinkan High School that causes problems for Ranma.

Ling-Ling/Lung-Lung – Shampoo’s younger sisters who come to Japan searching for the person who beat Shampoo.

VIDEO:

Having reviewed the 2014 DVD version and comparing to the original Viz Media DVD release, I definitely was anticipating the HD release of “Ranma 1/2” because of the overall picture quality difference. And sure enough, as I was expecting, the Blu-ray release surpasses the DVD releases in picture quality, sharpness and colors.

While grain is visible in the remastered HD release, the main difference is much better colors. Reds absolutely pop but instead of a smeary look of its original DVD release, line art to overall colors are simply much better in HD and I didn’t notice any major artifacts or banding.

Personally, this is the definitive version of “Ranma 1/2” to own!

AUDIO & SUBTITLES:

Lossless audio for “Ranma 1/2 – Blu-ray Set 3” is featured in Japanese and English DTS-HD Master Audio 2.0 with English subtitles. You get both the wonderful Japanese soundtrack with fine performances by Kappei Yamaguchi, Megumi Hayashibara and Noriko Hidaka, Minami Takayama, Hiromi Tsuru, Kikuo Inoue, Kouchi Yamadera to name a few. And the original ’90s English dub.

It’s important to note that the English dub back in the ’90s were a much different style than the English dubs that people are accustomed to today. At the time, Viz Media and other companies were entering a new field for English dubs after many people have seen the Japanese version (due to fan subs).

So, back in 1995, Viz Media was criticized for its English dub soundtrack. The dub was no doubt subjective to the listener. Some didn’t mind, some were very vocal about it but the good news is that on this Blu-ray release, you have a choice between Japanese or the English dub.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

“Ranma 1/2 – Blu-ray Set 3: Special Edition″ comes with the following special features:

“Ranma 1/2 – Blu-ray Set 3” comes with a 38-page booklet with episode summaries. Also, included is a slipcase featuring Akane on the cover plus a postcard featuring Ryoga.

With the third volume of the “Ranma 1/2” anime series on Blu-ray, the third volume continues the hijinks as Happosai is determined to getting more panties, any way he can. While Ranma must deal with Shampoo’s tough younger sisters Ling-Ling and Lung-Lung, while trying to keep cool with the strict rules of Principal Kuno.

We also see Ranma trying to adjust to losing his martial arts skill thanks to Happosai but gains a new special attack in the process.

But expect a lot of hijinks as Ukyo tries her best to get Ranma to recognize her, the group trying to search for a ghost who is causing problems at Furinkan High and what happens when Akane eats “super soba”?

Of these episodes from the third and fourth season in Japan, there are some crazy episodes that are my favorite.

From Akane eating the “Super Soba Noodles” and having to take on Shampoo in a battle of giant ping pong to the group investigate a ghost at school.

It was also great to see Mousse return, as he and Ryoga team up to take on Ranma. Another favorite is when the group goes back in time and we can see how Happosai and Cologne looked, when they were much younger.

There are a good number of hilarious episodes throughout the series but I like the fact that the crazy Principal Kuno makes his appearance, as well as Shampoo’s two younger sisters.

With volume three , this is is an essential volume for the “Ranma 1/2” fans who can’t enough of watching “Ranma 1/2” in HD.

And “Ranma 1/2” was a big part of my life growing up. I was among those who grew up with “Ranma 1/2″ and discovered the series back in 1992. I credit this series for introducing me to Japanese animation and while the series has not been forgotten, a new generation of anime and manga fans would grow up with another Rumiko Takahashi series titled “InuYasha” in the late ’90s and early 2000′s, while those of us who were fortunate to have grown up with “Ranma 1/2″, “Urusei Yatsura”, “Maison Ikkoku” and other Takahashi titles, will always remember that moment of time when anime and manga was fresh and new in the United States.

For me, being a long time “Ranma 1/2″ fan, from watching “Ranma 1/2″ in original Japanese when it first came out on LaserDisc and watching it at a local club viewing back in the early ’90s, purchasing nearly every “Ranma 1/2″ CD soundtrack to meeting Megumi Hayashibara (voice of female Ranma) and also meeting Venus Terzo (English dub voice actress for female Ranma) and Myriam Sirois (voice of Akane) and literally purchasing nearly everything or anything “Ranma 1/2″ related in LD and VHS… What a great time to see “Ranma 1/2″ released for a new generation of anime fans but also for those who have wished for more old school anime to be released on Blu-ray!

Having watched “Ranma 1/2” in VHS, LD, DVD, 2014 DVD and now on Blu-ray, I can easily say that this Blu-ray release is the definitive version to own. The colors and overall picture quality is fantastic, the lossless 2.0 soundtrack is also crystal clear and just watching it on Blu-ray made me feel so happy because I can see the big difference from the DVD in terms of colors, sharpness and overall detail.

Also, you get 23 episodes for this third Blu-ray release (so you get both seasons of “Ranma 1/2: Hard Battle” and “Ranma 1/2: Outta Control”) as opposed to the 18 episodes on the older “Ranma 1/2” DVD sets. While in Japan, our counterparts are getting 54-episodes on Blu-ray but they are also paying over $350 per box set. So, considering that 23 episodes are being sold for under $50, the price is great, considering the VHS and LD for “Ranma 1/2″ for a few episodes was quite expensive back then.

As for special features, you get the third part of the short, “We Love Ranma” featurette and trailers. And also, the clean opening and ending themes are included. It would have been awesome to revisit the Japanese or even the English voice talent as special features, but for the most part, you get a 38-page booklet and for me, watching these episodes in HD, remastered is a major plus!

The “Ranma 1/2″ series was a big part of my older teenage years and I feel it’s a wonderful experience for today’s readers to discover or re-discover one of the more well-known Rumiko Takahashi series that has had a worldwide impact for longtime fans. And to finally watch it on Blu-ray, I’m amazed of the difference in picture quality. Trust me on this one, if you owned the VHS, LD and DVD release, this Blu-ray does blow all of them away.

Featuring a hilarious and delightful storyline written with non-stop humor and action, “Ranma 1/2″ is at true anime classic that will forever entertain many generations of anime fans and will forever be remembered for its characters and wild and crazy stories. And it’s a Rumiko Takahashi anime series that I highly recommend!

“Ranma 1/2 Blu-ray Set 3” is recommended for Ranma 1/2 fans and those who intend to stay in the long run and follow this series on Blu-ray. Recommended!

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